Report by Brett Klucznik (Inglewood United)

The hard work ahead of the upcoming Night Series is well underway at Inglewood United.

The first team squad assembled for the first time under Michael Garcia and Victor Sikora last month and have been put through their paces by the new coaching team.

Pictured: Greg Sharland. Photo: 3P Photography

Club stalwart Greg Sharland said it had been a purposeful few weeks which positioned the club well for the new season.

“We’ve had a great start to the pre-season,” said Sharland, who is preparing for his seventh winter with Inglewood.

“It began with an initial meeting with all the coaching staff and players where we heard of the clubs plan for the season ahead and what has been happening in the off-season. We all had a chance to say hello and meet the new players we have on board for 2015.

“Pre-season is always hard but all the lads are doing well. We have all come back fresh and it’s good to see everyone again.

“We have been training for just over three weeks, training three times a week. Each and every session has been first class, a very organised plan and even prior to us players arriving the equipment, etcetera is all placed out and ready to go.”

First impressions are important and Sharland admits to being smitten by the Club’s new coaching team.

“Michael’s passion for success and preparation in everything he does is second to none, and Victor seems to be exactly the same,” he said. “From the few sessions we’ve had together they complement each other very well. But come January, when the tempo skyrockets, I might have a different view of them both.”

Inglewood will head into 2015 with much the same squad that ended the 2014 season, albeit with a number of additions in key areas of the park.

“We had a good squad last year but, for whatever reason, did not get the results,” Sharland said. “Bringing in fresh faces like Aleks Vrteski, Jovo Pavlovic and Rikki Smith is a major plus, giving us a few new options and increased depth.”

Sharland is confident the hard work he and his team mates put in now will pay dividends when the Night Series kicks off in the second weekend of February.

“Every team will be better for the season ahead, success will depend on who gels quicker and gets the best uninterrupted pre-season,” he said. 

“With Garc, Victor and the rest of the coaching staff, we know we have the best possible platform for the new season.

“I can’t wait to get really going.”